Arc 1, Chapter 8: Garage Royalty

I hate everyone.

My family. My siblings. The servants who only bow because they are paid to do so. Everyone in this cursed Dwarven town.

Playing music together was all I ever wanted. To share my heart's rhythm. However, they rejected me because of my unique style and the fact that I didn't sound like a "normal dwarf." They threw me out, making me an outsider even though I share the same passion as them.

So I hated them. And for a long time… I hated myself, too.

But then... I encountered an odd, self-centered person. And a sharp-tongued elf whose smile was as bright as her insults.

I hate them too. Or at least, I thought I did.

However, as soon as I saw the two of them... I had a silent but unwavering thought:

Maybe my life… maybe even I… can change.

***

Town Elder: “Performing with that Goldenshield failure and criminal? Her presence will tarnish the town square!”

With some pointing angrily, the crowd roared in agreement. The little girl shuddered, and Eillia pulled her closer.

Mizuki: “But didn’t you say that we can have anything? Plus…”

Her glare pierced the elder like a blade as she took a sharp breath.

Mizuki: “What kind of elder silences a child who just wants to play?”

The roar of the crowd wavered and gave way to whispers. Her words caused the elder's shoulders to twitch and his composure to crumble.

Mizuki: “...There is no place in the world for a town to turn away one of its own.”

The quiet grew deeper. The elder finally let out a deep sigh.

Town Elder: “Fine… I’ll set up the stage for you 3 to perform tonight... But if your performance brings unpleasantness to the town… It’s not my responsibility.”

A smile curved Mizuki's lips. She whirled and pointed sharply.

Mizuki: “Then get ready! We'll put on the best show this town has ever seen! Eillia! Frida! Let’s go!”

Frida and Eillia looked at each other while Mizuki charged into the alleys.

As they walk through the alley, Eillia voices out.

Eillia: “Where are we going? I don’t think we can practice in the hotel, right..?”

Mizuki stopped in the middle of her step and turned with the confidence of a general—and the ignorance of a child.

Mizuki: “I don’t know!”

Eillia & Frida: “...”

Frida sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

Frida: “Unbelievable… Fine. Then let’s go to my place. Follow me.”

***

After some walking, the 3 of them find themselves in front of a… Garage?

Frida heaved the doors open after unlocking the rusted latch.

Frida: “We are here. Come in.”

Barrels, heaps of scrap, and broken smithing tools were scattered all over the floor, partially assembled into makeshift drums.

Frida: “Here is where I stay and play, a place where no one will tell me to shut up.”

There was a reluctant bitterness in the edge of her voice.

Eillia: “W… Where are your parents?”

Frida let out a dry laugh.

Frida: “My family… The Goldshields… Kicked me out.”

Silence.

Frida: “They are royalty, the ones who run Dwarven town. We are supposed to play as a band… As a family… Until they found out that the princess… or their drummer… me… played wrong.”

She wiped her eyes quickly, and her voice broke.

Just then, Mizuki suddenly burst out laughing, doubling over until she hit the floor.

Frida: “W…What?”

Wiping away the tears of laughter, Mizuki stood.

Mizuki: “You? A princess?! With that attitude?!”

A stick flew across the room and smacked her in the face, dropping her again.

Frida: “Y… You will never understand what I’m going through… That’s why you are laughing…”

Eillia glares at Mizuki.

Eillia: “Mizuki… It’s not a time to joke…”

With a groan, Mizuki stood up again and brushed the dust off her clothing.

Mizuki: “Okay, okay. Pardon me… But, actually, I do get it.”

Frida glances at her, doubtful.

Mizuki: “You see… My family and peers rejected me, you know… When they found out that I wanted to be a musician.”

Frida: “Rejection by just wanting to be a musician?”

Mizuki: “Well…My family back home didn't want me to pursue a music career. They threw me out when I made that decision. However, rejection is not the end. Until you find a stage that listens, you simply keep playing.”

Mizuki crossed her arms and made a smug grin.

Mizuki: “And look where it brought me, I became a prodigy back there. Mwahahahaha!”

Eillia sighed, half amused, half frustrated. Mizuki then stops laughing and clears her throat.

Mizuki: “...But what I'm trying to say is that there's no use in being bound by the past. The only thing we can do if we truly want to pursue our dreams is to keep going and never stop.”

Frida looked up for the first time, just a little, and her hold on the drumstick loosened. Through her guarded eyes, a glimmer of hope appeared.

Eillia clapped her hands.

Eillia: “I agree, but let’s start practicing, shall we? Since it’s tonight…”

Mizuki smirked.

Mizuki: “...Yeah.”

As Mizuki and Mizuki take out their guitars, Frida takes a seat at her "kit," which consisted of cracked shields, rusty barrels, and loose pans that sounded like raw metal.

The first few minutes were chaotic. Frida’s rhythm was powerful but wild, clashing against Mizuki’s energy and Eillia’s melody. Every time they stumbled, she scowled and muttered a growl.

Frida: “Tone-death maniac.”

Mizuki stops strumming and turns to her.

Mizuki: “Hah!?!? Do you know how many people love this voice in my world, and Astrea?”

Frida: “Because they are idiots, and idiots attract idiots.”

Frida sticks out her tongue playfully while Mizuki starts gripping her guitar tighter each second.

Mizuki: “I swear I’m gonna rip you to shreds!!!”

Eillia giggles and whispers to herself as she witnesses the chaos in front of her.

Eillia: “Feels like I’m babysitting two kids.”

After attempting a few more messy attempts, Mizuki stops strumming and puts down her guitar.

She looks straight at Frida. But unlike her usual demeanor, she seems at Frida seriously this time.

Mizuki: “After playing with you for a while… I realized that your drumming is amazing, but…”

Mizuki breathes in.

Mizuki: “There’s too much hate in it.”

Frida tries to talk, but she can’t find any words to come out of her mouth.

She wants to disagree, but she can’t deny it. Her grudge towards Dwarves and Dwarven town itself is… Too overwhelming.

Mizuki: “Look. People will only feel hate if that's all you put into your drumming. However, they will eventually listen to you if you play with passion and because you love it.”

Frida grips her sticks tighter. She doesn't respond. Mizuki places her arms on Frida’s shoulders, assuringly.

Mizuki: “So when we play as a band… I don’t want you to think of Dwarven town and its people. I want you to think of your love for music… And our moments. Can you do that for me and Eillia?”

As Eillia witnesses this, she smiles and adds.

Eillia: “And that’s what makes music beautiful… It’s not about proving something, it’s about sharing it.”

Frida hesitates, then nods softly. Her drumming begins to change; it becomes more fluid and less forceful, as if she were testing Mizuki's words.

Although still heavy, her beats were no longer oppressive. They lifted, as if someone were finally daring to live, rather than rage. They start carrying the faint pulse of joy, determination, and longing.

Eillia's gaze grew softer.

Eillia: “That’s it… That’s your sound.”

Between riffs, Mizuki leaned back and grinned.

Mizuki: “Told you. You don’t have to hold back. You just need the right stage.”

They seemed to play for hours. There was a strange unity to it despite the imperfect notes, rough rhythm, and crackling and rattling that filled the garage. For the first time, Frida didn’t feel like she was drumming alone.

Frida gripped her sticks. Her bangs had blocked her eyes, but she spoke steadily.

Frida: “…This is the first time I’ve ever felt like I wasn’t being excluded.”

Eillia smiled at her, her eyes almost watering.

Eillia: “Then don't exclude yourself either. Not anymore.”

After hesitating, Frida slowly nodded.

Mizuki cracked her knuckles and stretched before grinning.

Mizuki: “Good. Then it’s settled.”

Frida blinked.

Frida: “…Settled?”

With fire in her eyes, Mizuki turned to face the garage door.

Mizuki: “We’re not keeping this to ourselves. If you want to be heard—”

She looked at Eillia, then back at Frida.